Conroe senior gets wish granted for a return to nature

Brad Meyer

Published 5:21 pm, Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Photo: Staff Photo By Eric Swist

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Ihor Koszman is helped into a van by nurse Damita Hatchett as his son Victor looks on. Elmcroft of Rivershire assisted-living center in Conroe partnered with nonprofit Second Wind Dreams to send Koszman to Martin Creek State Park in Henderson. Koszman wanted to spend time with his wife and son back in nature. less

Ihor Koszman is helped into a van by nurse Damita Hatchett as his son Victor looks on. Elmcroft of Rivershire assisted-living center in Conroe partnered with nonprofit Second Wind Dreams to send Koszman to ... more

Photo: Staff Photo By Eric Swist

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Ihor Koszman is embraced by employee Cecilia Shoulz as he prepares to leave for his trip. Elmcroft of Rivershire assisted-living center in Conroe partnered with nonprofit Second Wind Dreams to send Koszman to Martin Creek State Park in Henderson. Koszman wanted to spend time with his wife and son back in nature. less

Ihor Koszman is embraced by employee Cecilia Shoulz as he prepares to leave for his trip. Elmcroft of Rivershire assisted-living center in Conroe partnered with nonprofit Second Wind Dreams to send Koszman to ... more

Photo: Staff Photo By Eric Swist

Conroe senior gets wish granted for a return to nature

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An assisted living facility, an international nonprofit and the family of an aging Conroe resident whose desire was to spend time in nature with his wife and son are making that wish come true.

Ihor Koszman, 77, and his family are enjoying a visit to Martin Creek State Park in Henderson, thanks to the coordinated effort of Elmcroft of Rivershire, the Conroe assisted-living facility where Koszman lives, and Second Wind Dreams, a nonprofit group specializing in special programs for elderly.

“The staff at Elmcroft did a great job of researching and organizing this outing,” said Victor Koszman, his son. “Second Wind Dreams raised the money to make this happen in record time.”

Koszman, an avid outdoorsman and member of the Houston Hiker Club in his youth, expressed a desire to get back to nature for a visit. His son Victor worked with the staff of Elmcroft of Rivershire and Second Wind Dreams to honor that request.

A native of the Ukraine, Ihor Koszman is suffering from prostate cancer and is under the care of hospice.

In deference to his father’s declining physical condition, Victor Koszman made arrangements for an overnight cabin stay at Martin Creek State Park along with a boat ride on Lake Caddo.

Elmcroft of Rivershire is an assisted-living facility in Conroe offering 24-hour personalized assistance for seniors and security in a residential atmosphere.

Second Wind Dreams was founded in 1997 in Marietta, Ga. The international nonprofit group focuses on fulfillment of dreams and providing educational programs for those living in elder care communities.

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For information about Second Wind Dreams, visit www.secondwind.org. For information about senior living at Elmcroft of Rivershire, located at 450 N. Rivershire Drive in Conroe, visit www.elcroftal.com or call 936-788-2626.